The Newtown bee., 1887-11-11
BRIDGEPORT.

l land States. While many are constantly predicting a reaction, the boom continues with unabated vigor. New buildings can be seen on every hand and, from east 10 west, it would seem that no unoccupied territory remains. Only few years ago and East Bridgeport was not much but a country village. but the advent of several large manufacturing industries set the ball in motion and it has continued rolling until nearly every available building site is occupied and still reaching out beyond. West Stratford is fast assuming propor- tions of importance. Soon will come the cry for annexation, although at present, perhaps, the majority of the residents are content to remain in a borough, so long as the management of public affairs can be done at smaller cost. The rapid growth of Bridgeport is curious in some respects and seems to have been brought about in a great measure by the plans, ideas and influence of one individual. East Bridge port lay dormeut until Barnum purchased the principal part of if, laid it out in streets and building lots and was instru- mental in establishing large menufact- uring concern there, which. indeed, prov ed a failure, so far as that particular in- dustry was concerned. The building was immediately occupied by business which was successful and has not only given oc- cupation to thousands, but has made many men wealthy as contractors. At the time Barnum undertook to develop East Bridgeport, he was living at Iranistan, outside the city limits in the town of Fair field and all around him were springing up the residences of many who were we'll content to live just over the line and es- cape the heavier tax, yet receiving, in a measure, some of the benefits of the city. Iranistan was destroyed by fire and Bar mum went still farther west, while the space between the former place and Lin dencroft gradually began to be occupied. After a few years, another change was made and Waldemere stood almost alone, where now magnificent mansions surround it. But a few years ago. farmers came down to cut salt grass on the marsh west of Iranistan avenue. until the master mind of Barnum conceived the idea of damming back the sea, retaining and converting this breeding place of the mosquito to beauty and utility. So the work has gone on, until 1t seems as if almost every avail able foot of ground from West Stratford to Black Rock was occupied and now re- main only the hills to the north to look for the further spread of the city Many excellent locations can be found there and why they have so long remained unoccu- pied can only be explained by the fact that they have not been put apon the mar ket before. North Main street is at pres ent undergoing very thorough renova- tion, having been raised and graded for quite distance and it is only question of time and not very long period either before the horse railroad will be extended farther north and each side of the street be occupied by houses. North avenue al- so affords many desirable building sites especially from Main street north and it is to be regretted that the proprietor of a large part of this pleasantly situated prop erty does not seem inclined to part with it. This locality has a history which makes It particularly interesting. Long years ago, before Bridgeport was, when the little hamlet of Newfield nestled close by the water mile below, the stage coach numbered along the King s highway on the journey between Boston and New York stopping for relay of horses and refresh , fh ,JJ 4l now occupied by Street Commissioner Pierce. It is said that, on the occasion oi Gen Washington's journey to New York , to meet Count Rochambeau, he lso stop ped at the house and the room he occu pied can still be shown to the curious en quirer.
 J. w. Knowlton has improved his prop erty on Fairfield avenue by the purchase of a lot at its rear 45x115 feet
 The BEE is indebted to the enterprising house of Plumb & Beardsley of the pos office news room for sample copy of the Forum, 50-cent monthly after the pat tern of the North American Review.
 c. G. Downs has sold his John street , residence to Dr J. W. Wright Standard Just send me more BEES; I sell them } all out every week, is what the newsdeal l CTS frequently say. Bridgeporters like the BEE.
 Miss Eyanna Peet spent Saturday ano Sunday in Fairfield.
 All the leading papers and magazines including the BEE, at Bradshaw's, s, 96 Fair. : field avenue.
 \ lecture in the opera house, Monday. 14th under the auspices of the Y. NJ. c. A
 An enjoyable entertainment was given, last week, at the residence of James Brad ) shaw, Jr, the popular newsdealer, l1s Main street.-[Daily Advertiser.
 The Park City Machine and Tool Go. is another new Bridgeport concern, with $5000 capital stock
 Location seems to have good deal te do with business success here. One man a reliable, capable barber, had, sever al years ago, stand on Wall street. He : did good business and had work for sey- al assistants. But a higher rent was of. fered by man who wished to open sa- loon and the barber had to Yacate. He found location on principal street, on ly few doors west of Main. Here trade fell off, until all assistants were discharg- ed and he had not work enough to pay ex. penses. A few months ago, he moved te the basement of Main street bank. He now has two helpers and prospects are bright.
 New desks and seats for the West 5trat- ford schoolhouse, ordered six weeks ago arrived and were put in place. last week Time and Money Saved